Shooting Low

[DoubleSawbuck]

I'm trying to figure out how to help out one of my friends who's shooting low.

My 1911 shoots POA for me but when my friend shoots it he's about 4" low at 10yds. He can keep a tight group and can move the group up but only when aiming at the top of the target.

He's looking into getting his own 1911 and the sights could be adjusted accordingly but then they won't be right for anyone else.

What could cause this?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Sounds like he's "drawing a fine bead."

 

[Damon555]

Did you discuss the sight picture? I own guns that you aim just under the target and others that you put right on the target. Maybe it's that simple......

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Or maybe he's exerting too much grip with his firing hand and the pinky is pulling the gun down.

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

I should have mentioned in the OP, he shoots his .22 just fine. That's what has me confused.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I should have mentioned in the OP, he shoots his .22 just fine. That's what has me confused.

Sounds like he is anticipating the recoil a bit to me. Does he have any larger caliber handguns?


Slip a snap cap into the magazine without telling him and watch to see if he jerks the gun down a little as he breaks the shot. With the snap cap it will be obvious if he is or not.

ETA: As 9mmepiphany pointed out, "jerk" is a bad way of wording it. What I mean is that he is muzzling the gun down prior to breaking the shot in an attempt to anticipate the muzzle jump from recoil.

 

[9mmepiphany]

He can keep a tight group

If that means he is holding < 2" groups, than he likely isn't jerking, but he is almost certainly tightening the lower three fingers of his strong hand as he is pulling the trigger.

It is pretty common when shooters move from a RF to a CF pistol

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

^^^Essentialy what I said, lol. But that's what I am thinking.

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

Thanks that makes sense, I'll get some snap caps and see if we can move that group up.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[9mmepiphany]

^^^Essentialy what I said, lol. But that's what I am thinking.

I was agreeing and supporting you advice

From instructing, I've found sometimes being overly descriptive isn't a bad on the internet

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

^^^ well I know people that need a novel of descriptions and sompr people who can take just a handful of words in a sentence and be able to follow what people were saying. Little info can go along ways with some.

I was just saying, lol. But mine by far was worded much simpler. Not that it's a good thing, though.

 

[Hk Dan]

It could be as simple as him looking at the target before the shot breaks, pushing the gun down a hair so he can "see better" (reflexively). I see it a lot with new shooters, and they can either go high or low, but generally group very well.

 

[wtxj]

It sounds just like what is said above. The grip and execution of the shot.


I used to shot low right (being a lefty) went and took a lesson. Wanted the instructor to look while I shot. He did. I let him shoot (he was a lefty also)
He shot low right. He was young, said I know what it is, it's the gun.
So owner shows up (sig Armour) looks at the weapon and goes and shoots it as it was and shoots a half dollar size in the center.
He says next time your here, I will work with you free.

Problem was all in MY grip and execution of the shot.

Snap caps, dry fire whatever will show if he flinching.

 

[Shadow 7D]

http://is-lan.com/challenge/images/Pistol-Correction.pdf
this is a version of the Lee pistol correction target
gives you an idea what you are doing wrong.

 

[camsdaddy]

Will be following this as it progresses

 

[9mmepiphany]

http://is-lan.com/challenge/images/Pistol-Correction.pdf
this is a version of the Lee pistol correction target
gives you an idea what you are doing wrong.

I'm not sure why this diagnostic target won't die when discussing problems folks are having when shooting using a two-handed grip.

That diagnostic target is meant to diagnose problems when shooting using a one-handed grip...Bullseye shooting...it is next to useless when trying to figure out the problem we are discussing.

OP- if you and your friend were local, this would be an easy fix...maybe 20 mins...because there are things someone knowledgeable about shooting technique can see that are just hard to describe in the written word. You might think about looking into formal training

 

[Zerodefect]

Deso he shoot over 1911's ok? Or are they low as well? Is it the shooter or the gun?

You could need a shorter front sight.

Maybe the barrel needs adjusted. A poorly fit barrel or barrel link can shoot low.

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

Only have 2 1911's to go by, my R1 has standard 3 dot sights. It shoots POA for me, low for him. The other is a Springer with GI sights, on that one the drop isn't as pronounced. I can't figure it out.

I'll try to get to the range this weekend and have some snap caps and see what we can figure out.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Sorry, to think I've been using that target
I have found changing ammo and stance to effect where I group, especially during quick fire. The first is a gun thing, the second is all me, I thing it has to do with the way I align the sight different due to arm position.

And a trainer helps with the second, someone to stop you and say, ' there, right there, see you did this and that causes that'